Malloy calls for quick action on gun legislation

The cache of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the home of the Newtown gunman that was revealed Thursday underscore that "this is the time" for gun control legislation, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said at a rally on the steps of City Hall.

By STEPHEN KALIN

The Bulletin

By STEPHEN KALIN

Posted Mar. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 28, 2013 at 12:41 PM

By STEPHEN KALIN

Posted Mar. 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 28, 2013 at 12:41 PM

HARTFORD, Conn.

The cache of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition in the home of the Newtown gunman that was revealed Thursday underscore that "this is the time" for gun control legislation, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said at a rally on the steps of City Hall.

"We need to get our job done in the state of Connecticut," he said. "We need to do it sooner rather than later."

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra joined him on what was billed as The National Day to Demand Action, organized by the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.

Earlier in the day, search warrants were released that showed guns, more than a thousand rounds of ammunition, a bayonet and several swords were found in the home of Adam Lanza, who killed 28 people, including himself, in the December massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The aftermath of the shooting reignited the national debate on gun laws and led to proposals to overhaul them from the White House and many Statehouses.

Malloy proposed comprehensive reform in February, including universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and improved enforcement of existing laws. A vote was expected next week in the General Assembly.

"Connecticut can help lead the nation" by putting forth a model for gun control, Blumenthal said.

The details made public in the search warrants created a "more compelling argument at the national level that we must act now," said Blumenthal, who sponsored legislation in the U.S. Senate prohibiting high-capacity magazines and advocated for expanded background checks and medical health care.

Echoing the call for federal legislation, Segarra noted the problem posed by illegally purchased and trafficked guns in the capital. "We do not live in a vacuum," he said. "What occurs in neighboring towns and states affect us."

The coalition that sponsored the event includes more than 800 mayors from across the country and is co-chaired by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Organizers say more than 100 similar events were expected to be held across the country.

Petition drives and calls to congressional district offices, demanding support for gun laws such as comprehensive background checks, were also planned.